Journal entries that make an impact

[Guest]

.

[P, B and J]

I hope that a single picture option is there as an option for those of us who are not geared to viewing videos in all settings where I log in. 

Dan

P.S.  It's does seem a little strange to be using videos in journals when they are concerned that internet connections in the field are so slow and undependable.

Dan, not to worry, in the email I received the video doesn't come up unless you click on the link, it's only a link in the email. This would have been fine for in here too, but it seems that the YouTube links automatically convert to the actual video when posted in the forum here.  I hadn't thought about the aspect you mention in your P.S. though, hmmm..... 

[P, B and J]

was nice at the end to see the photo of KFers Diane & Charlie and Mary - you too can be in the movies if you use a real photo on your lender page. [...]

Nah, I gots no desire to be in da movies, tank ya very much!    Besides, no one is missing much by not seein' my mug, believe you me!   It took me years before I even posted my pic to some long-standing friends online!

[Limesarah]

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=66454

Shagen used generated profit as an investment into his second venture – making and selling pastrami. Pastrami is beef jerky made with different oriental spices and seasonings. Shagen is a true Armenian and knows some extraordinary secret recipes of making most delicious pastrami. That must be the reason why he already has many customers who come to buy this product from him. Shagen believes this business will grow well and help him generate additional income for his primary venture.

Aside from the fact that now I'm really craving a pastrami sandwich, this makes me really wonder about this entrepreneur's history.  He's a "true Armenian", but is currently living in the Ukraine.  I wonder if his family had to leave during the genocide, or if he moved for more benign reasons?

[wthepoo]

A lovely journal from Azerbaijan (KivaFriends DianeCharlie and GoodDogg are on this loan, too):

Kamal Quilyev

Kamal Quliyev changed business plans shortly after receiving his $1,200 Kiva loan. At first, he had planned to invest the money in buying two dairy cows. But the money, in the end, would have only covered one cow, so after further calculations, he settled on buying five sheep and two goats, as well as enough fodder to feed the lot during the winter.

Kamal, 50, is still waiting for the sheep to fatten up for sale in the spring. He lives in in the Bilasuvar Internally Displaced People Settlement in Azerbaijan — for those driven from their homes in the Armenian territorial conflict — and conditions can be hard. But thanks to his Kiva loan, he hopes to sell each of the sheep he bought for 70 Azeri Manat for 90-100 AZN, turning a tidy profit.

Kamal is the proud father of three daughters, ages 13, 15 and 20. His eldest readies for university, he reported. In the future, Kamal hopes to own two cows and as many as 40 sheep.

His message to his Kiva lenders was moving. In Azeri, he said: “I want to thank them because they are helping us with a loan in our bad conditions. One day, maybe we can help them. If they’re helping us today, maybe tomorrow I can help them.”

And isn't the new photo (right) almost crying "calendar"? (wouldn't it be a nice start to "helping us" by signing an unconditional release? ) I just added a link to the wonderfully high-res original (just click on the photo).

Best wishes,
Wolfgang.

[Limesarah]

Beatiful journal update for Nathan Matasi (http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=19957):

Dr. Nathan Matasi has been running the Rapha Medical Center in Kitale, Kenya since 1996. The Rapha Medical Center is an 8-room facility, with an outdoor waiting area.

Before opening the medical center, Nathan worked for the government as a gynecologist. He considers himself a family man and is married with 4 children whose ages range from 6 years old to 30 years old.

Nathan has had 2 previous loans from K-MET. He used the loan money to purchase laboratory equipment: a centrifuge machine, a waterbath for cultures, and a hemogram machine. Both loans have done very well, allowing him to offer more services within the Center and to generate more money.

Nathan has taken out a 3rd loan of $1,200 USD in order to help him purchase a new ultrasound machine. The machine Nathan had been using is the only one that served his entire area and it is very old and did not work well. The new ultrasound machine will improve his diagnoses and allow everyone to have more confidence in the results.

As for his future, Nathan hopes to build a hospital in 10 years. He has bought the land and has plans for the building; he is now working towards getting the capital he needs to begin construction.

So keep an eye out for future loans for him to help him top off the funding he needs for the hospital!

[wthepoo]

A great journal from Cameroon (KivaFriends Turtle, Glenda and Amy's Mom are on this loan, too) - together with some PR for the GHAPE website -:

Cecilia Munyang

With Cecilia's last loan, she paid for her farm to be cleared for 15,000 CFA ($30 USD) and for someone to help her work her farm for 25,000 CFA ($50 USD). She planted corn, cassava, yams, cocoyams, and vegetables on her farm. She sells her cassava, yams, and vegetables in the Mbengwi market around three times per month. Mbengwi is a small rural town about an hour outside of Bamenda. When she goes to the market she can make 3000 CFA ($6 USD) from her vegetables, 7000 CFA ($14 USD) from her garri (a staple carbohydrate side dish made from grinding, soaking, draining, and frying cassava), and 6000 CFA ($12 USD) from selling two pockets of yams.

Cecilia is widow and had seven children; three of her children passed away. One child is in university now, and the other three are living with her; she supports all four children. One of those living with her has a mental illness and cannot help her with the home. The others she says do not help her much either.

She says "If I don't be GHAPE, I done die. I been GHAPE 8 years, my heart not cold now. My life be fine." To those that contributed to her last loan, she is sending her prayers that you will continue to have the power to keep giving help to her and GHAPE.

Go to www.ghape.org to learn more about GHAPE.

Best wishes,
Wolfgang.

[Turtle]

I was (ok, still am) SO excited about this   

I'm so glad the loans have made her life a little easier....I really feel for her son with a mental illness, hope he can get whatever care he needs some day soon...

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

Many thanks, Wolfgang, for keeping an eye on the journals and posting this.
I can't spend the time online that I need for keeping up with everything.  I appreciate your doing my job for me!

[Jan & John]

Today's journals were interesting as usual...

but I had never heard of 'gas balloons' before...

well - at least not this kind...   so I had to go look...

and then I had to call John - and he is still shaking his head

Kabul, Afghanistan

    For solving his family’s problems Noor Agha took a loan to improve his business of selling gas balloons. After the loan he could buy more gas balloons and then sell them. In this way he could expand his business, besides, he earn more money. He thanks Kiva for its great support which allowed him to keep a better business.

Posted by Roya Omari from Kabul, Afghanistan
Dec 24, 2008

jan

[Diane R]

Um.... Jan?

For solving his family’s problems Noor Agha took a loan to improve his business of selling gas balloons. After the loan he could buy more gas balloons and then sell them. In this way he could expand his business, besides, he earn more money. He thanks Kiva for its great support which allowed him to keep a better business.

Those two phrases sure jumped out at ME immediately! 

--Diane.